Apparatus for applying flux and the like



Patented Mar. 6, 1945 2,370,775 APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUX AND THE LIKE rSTATes PATENT` OFI-*ice Emil a; capita, Flashing, N. Y. Application December 12, 1941, Serial No. 422,703 (o1. en -45.)

`12 claims.

`The present' invention relates to the application of fiux to articles priorto the application ofsolder thereto and toa device which is particuparts of armor second cap ,of streamlineshap'e is usually fitted.

over the end of the armor. piercing cap to minimize wind resistance during the flight of a prof jectile.

The armor piercing 4capfandshell case are generally attached to veach other'by soldering them together. i

l In instances Where metal'parts to be joined by soldering orwelding, it is desirable that the surfaces to be joined be coated with a substance that will clean them and free them from oxide; Such substances are called fluxes; they promote a union of metals. ,The flux may be applied just-prior to or during the actual Asoldering'or 'welding-operations and may be in solid, granulated -or .liquid 3b form. v

Previous and usual practice has beento apply flux to articleseith'er vinthe form of powder or by `painting it .onwith a brush. These methods provide a new and improved Aflux applying means which is more nearly automatic in operation.

are relatively -slowgand expensive and thefquantity of articles that 'can be `coated with flux by the methods in a given time isl limited. The method is even slower and kmoredifficult'in cases where concave or` hollow #articles suchas the caps lof armor piercing projectiles must bev coated with flux at their interiors. In many cases the flux is not applied evenly and parts of the surfaces may not be vcoated' .at all, thus impairing the nal soldering or welding operation.

The present invention aims to overcome or minimize the above and other diiculties 'and disadvantages by providing 'a 'new' and improved means for applying `flux to articles andparticularly to -concave or hollow articles such as caps of armor piercing projectiles.

An object lof the present invention `isy to provide a new vand improved ux applyingmeans. 1 Another object of the 'present invention is to provide a new and improved means for applying flux to parts of armor piercingprojectiles.

Another object lof the present invention :is to the Another "object of the" present invention is to provide a new ,and improved means for spraying flux onto articles. f"

Another object lof theipresent invention is to provide a new and improved fiux `applying means which is relatively simple in constructionI and operation. y

Another object of theinvention is to provide a iiux applying meansl which may' be'usedfto coat relatively large numbers ofv articles withr fiuX in a short time.

Otherand further objects'of lthe invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will-occur to` one skilled in the art'upon employment of the invention in practice.vv f

A preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown `in A the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein e F'ig.A 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionj Figi. V2 -is a sectional viewy talfenalong theline- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top planV view 'of anv 4article supporting member; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view,` partly -in sec,- tion,` illustrating the parts* of an armor piercing projectile to which flux may be applied-by the present invention. l

' Referringagain to the drawing, and more particularlyy to Fig. `l thereof, lthere isillustrated one armor piercing cap 2 to minimize ai-r resistance to the projectile during flight. 'A' rotating band l,y which gives the shell `ra whirl as it passes through a gun barrel, is illustrated adjacentthe rear lend 'oftheprojectile The present new and improved riiux yapplying means willbe described chiey with reference to applying aflux coating to ythe^interior of the armor `piercing cap 2: it

will be understood that it may be utilized in applying flux to articles generally.

The device for applying flux to articles is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing. One form of supporting framework for the device may comprise an upright column 8 which is secured to an enlarged base portion or foundation I0. The base portion I may be attached in any suitable manner to a oor. The upper end of the column 8 is provided with an enlarged top I adapted to form a seat for the device. The supporting framework illustrated depicts one convenient form which may be utilized; in certain instances it may be preferable to mount the device upon a bench or table.

The top member forms a seat for a recessed base member I3 which is adapted to receive a container or pot 4 for holding liquid :IluxV The recessed base member I3 preventsthe flux. container I4 from sliding in a lateral direction.

An apertured holding memberr I2 having a recess |6 at the underside thereof is adapted to fit over the rim of the container I4 and is preferablyvsecured to the recessed base member I3 and top member Il by bolts or screws I The container I4 is thus securely held against accidental movement in any direction and is adapted to contain the liquid flux with which articles are to be coated.

A second frameworkpcomprising a pair of spaced upwardly extending members I9 and 2U connected by a crossbar 2 2 adjacent their upper ends is provided adjacent one side of the en-` larged top member This second framework is adapted to support the mechanism for transferring liquid flux from the container |4 onto an article. YThecrossbarv 22 has fitted thereover a sleeve member 23, to which is attached a plat form or article supporting member 25 that extends over the fiux container`v I4. The sleeve member 23 isA free to pivotiabout the cross bar 22 sothat the platform or supporting member 25, which is attached to the sleeve, ymay pivot about thehcrossbar 22. The article supporting platform 25 has a substantially vertically extending leg 26 at the pivoted end thereof, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

, 'The platform orsupporting member 25 extends outwardly substantially horizontally over the flux container |4 and is provided with an opening 28 i into which is tted a tubular member 3 I. A plurality of spacedapertures 29 in the article supporting Lmember 25 are desirable in connection with the operation of the'deyice and will be later described. The tubular member3| has an open i upper end 32 which -is preferably firmly secured into the large central opening of the supporting member 25 so that it moves with the supporting member; it may be attached to the platform 25 by Welding, soldering or any other convenient means. The'tubular member 3| extends downwardly into the flux container I4 and is provided with aplurality of apertures 34 adjacent the lowerend: thereof adapted to admit liquid ux to the interior of the tubular member 3 I.

The lower endV of the tubular member 3| is closed bylone leg ofa substantially U-shaped member 35 whichfextends into thetubular mem- Aber 3| land is connected with the lower end of the tubular member 3| by soldering, welding, or in any other suitable manner. The opposite end of the U-Yshaped member v35 extends upwardly through an aperture in and is secured to the supporting member or platform 25.l The substantially U-shaped conduit 35 is adaptedto supply air under pressure to the interior of a tubular member 3| and to thereby cause liquid'flux to be sprayed up through the tubular member 3|. An article to be coated with ux may be placed upon the platform 25 so that it extends over the open upper end of the tubular member 3| and the surrounding apertures 29. The upturned portions 3'I on the platform 25 are helpful in retaining an article on the platform 25. l l

The end 38 ofv the U-shaped conduit, which extends through the supporting member 25, may be connected by a piece of flexible tubing 40 with a compressed air conduit 4|. The compressed air conduit 4| connects with a suitable source of compressed air (not shown) and is adapted to supply compressed air to the interior of the tubular member 3l, as hereinabove referred to. compressed air conduit 4I is connected with the source of compressed air at all times and delivery of air therefrom is controlled by means of a valve 43 `adapted to open and close the air lines leading to the'interiorof the tubular member 3|. Operation of the valve 43 and opening and closing of the air lines is controlled by an operating projection or member 44. Pressingthe member 44 into the valve casing connects the air lines with theosource of compressed air and allowing the member 44 to move out of the casing cuts off the air. from the source of compressed air. Any suitable type of valve may. be utilized; a satisfactory valve isthe Schradervalve of this type. The valve operating projection 44may be moved by means of the substantially vertically vextending leg 25 that is connected with the platform member 25 and which extends downwardly to a point adjacent the valve projection 44.. Up and down movement of the article supporting member 25 in response to' pressure of an article on the platform causes horizontal Ymovement of the vertical leg' 26V which is in contact with the valve projection 44. This actuates the resiliently mounted projecting member 440i the valve 43 and either allows air to pass through the compressed air conduit 4| or cutsfit off therein. As shown in the drawing whenthe projection 44 is pressed into the body of the valve 43, air will ow through the conduits into theinterior of the tubular member 3 I. The compressed air rushing throughl the tubular member 3| .tends toV create a partial vacuum therein and draws liquid flux from the container I4 up into the tubular member 3|; when the liquid ux strikes the stream of compressed. air it is broken up into small particles and formed into a spray. An article placed over the end of the tubularA member 3| willbe coated with a layer or film of liquid flux. Excess air may escape to the atmosphere through the apertures 29 and apertured member I2; excess flux may return to the interior of-the container I4 through the apertures 29.

When the article is lifted from the supporting member or platform 25 the valve projection 44 may return to itsv outermost position and thus interrupt the flow ofair through the conduit 4I. Interruption of the flow' of air through the flexible tubing`4|l and Ushapedmember35 to the interior of the tubularmember 3| cuts oif the partial vacuum within the latter member and 'stops the formation of the spray of 4liquid flux.

The starting and stopping of the flux spray occurs very rapidly. y I

When it is desired to operate the device, anarticle is placed upon the platform 25 so that it extends over the upper end of thetubular member 3| and the surrounding apertures 29. Down- They to the valve projection 44. Movementzofthe valve .projection 44 into the valve :casing connects the conduit 4I with the airy-supply and allows air to flow 4from .the .conduit 4I lthrough-the flexible tub.- ing 40 and U-.shaped conduit 35 into the :interior of the hollow member 3I. lThe air rushingoutof the conduit35 anduinto the 4tubular member 31I causes a partial vacuum ywithin theflatter .mem- .ber and is effective to draw liquid ux into the hollow member/3i through the apertures :34 I1o catedadjacent the lower part thereof. When the liquid iiux is struck by the air .stream whichissues from .the end of the conduit 35 it vis *broken up .into .a spray and ejected vout the open end .of Ithe .conduit 3I against the article locatedon .the platform. Excess air and iiux may lpass oiit through the surrounding.apertureslpexcess flux dripping .back into the flux reservoir I4 `and excess air passing freely .out the top yof the flux reservoir I4. The .level of the .ux I'within the container I4 should ybe above the .apertures 34 ofthe tubular member 3| .so that the liquid flux may be drawn into the tubular'member 3| through the apertures 34. Also, the level I5 of the liquid -iiux is preferably maintained below` that of the inner end 36 of the U-shaped conduit 35 so that liquid 'flux will not flowinto the U-shaped cond-uit -35. The coating of an article with ux by .means of the present device occurs very .rapidly-and the article may be removed almost immediatelyfrom the supporting platform 25. .As the. article is lifted from the supportingplatform 25 vthe valve operating projection M ,returns to its normal inoperative position and cuts'off the flowof .air through the conduit l I. This interrupts the peration of .the device. The present device is thus in operation only while an article is being coated with ux.

It will be seen .that the present invention pro vides a new and improved means for applying flux to articles and particularly to articles such as concave caps of armor p-iercing projectiles. The coating is uniformly and rapidly applied to the entire surface to be coated, thereby assuring a `imer'ated-zby the article fto control .the *flow fof air :through :said conduit.v f y A 'device .of the :class described comprising, in combination, a tubularmemberhavingpne end thereof :normally extending into a supply of liquid, .a conduit. operatively connected with said tubular member .for :supplying .air .under pressure there'to,

whereby liquid .is fadapted Sto be drawn into said tubular :member and forced Aout one rvend thereof againstfan article, and iapivotally mounted article supporting .member adjacent said end of the tubullarmemben f v 3. .A device 'fof the lclass .described comprising, in lcombination, atubular .mem-ber havingfone -end thereof normally extending into a supply of liquid, a A conduit 1eXtending..-a substantial 4distance into said "tubular :member '-f or supplying air under pressureA and Idirecting it .upwardly through said 'tubular member? whereby liquid is, adapted tobe Idrawn upwardly in said tubular.member 'by -the partial vacuum :created therein vand forced out 'one eend 'thereof against an article *by 4the v'air stream, a 'pivotally' .mounted article lsupporting membenarrd :means operatively connectedjwith lsaid, article supportin'g'member and responsive to the .movement of .said supporting member about its pivot for ycontrolling thep'assage fof air through said conduit. l fv-4. A :device lof the class described comprising, in combination, a tubular lmember having the lower .end thereofznormally extending into -a-supply .of liquid, fa conduit connected with vsaid tubular member for supplying .air under pressure thereto whereby liquid. is adapted to be .drawn into .the lower end of said tubular memberland `forced ou-t the other end 'thereof .against an ar-l ticle, a movable member r'extending about .said other end of the. tubular :conduit for vsupporting anarticle adjacent thereto, and means :operatively connected with v said movable member for controlling the passage of air through said yconduit.

5.l A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a ltubular member having the lower end thereof normally extending into a supply of liquid, a conduit connected with said tubular member for supplying air under pressure thereto whereby liquid is adapted to be drawn ofthe invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described .my invention, I claim:

1. A device adapted to be used for applying a liquid ux coating to an article to be soldered, comprising, in combination, a container for holding the iiux material, a tubular member having one end thereof extending into said container and into said coating material, and a conduit operatively connected with said tubular member into the lower end of said tubular memberl and forced out the other end thereof against an article, a pivotally mounted article supporting mem` ber extending about said other end of the tu bular conduit, and means operatively connected with said pivotally mounted member for controlling the passage of air through said conduit. 6. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a tubular member having the lower end thereof normally extending into a supply of liquid, a conduit connected with said tubular member for supplying air under pressure thereto -Whereby liquid is adapted to be drawn into the lower end of said tubular member and forced out the other end thereof against an ar- `ticle, pivotally mounted article supporting member extending about said other end of the tubular conduit having an arm connected therewith and movable in response to movements of said supporting member to actuate an air valve and thereby control the passage of air through said conduit.

'7. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a movable support for an article, a tubular member connected with and extending through said support into a source of coating material, a Aconduit connected With said support and said tubular member adapted toconduct air to the interior of said tubular member to move coating material through the latter member. and direct it against an article on said support and means responsive to the movement of said support for supplying air to said conduit.

8. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a movable support for an article, a tubular member connected with and extending through said support into a source of coating material, aconduit connected with said support and said tubular member to move coating material through the latter member and direct it against an article on said support, and means connected with said support adapted to control the passage of air through said conduit in response to movements of said support.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a container for a liquid fluxmaterial, a tubular member having an open upper end extending into the atmosphere and having apertures-adjacent the lower end thereof and having the lower end normally extending into the iiux material, and a conduitextending downwardly into the container and through one of said apertures and into said tubular member for a substantial distance conducting uid to the interior L- thereof, whereby flux material is adapted to be drawn upward in said tubular member by the partial vacuum created by the air stream and ejected with the air stream from the open upper end thereof.

10. A device for applying a liquid iiux coating 'to an article to be soldered, in combination, a tufill thereof against an article, and a pivotally mounted article supporting member adjacent said end of the tubular member.

11. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a tubular member having one end thereof normally extending into a supply of liquid, a conduit operatively connected with said tubular member and extending a substantial distance into said tubular member for directing air under pressure upwardly through said tubular member, whereby liquid is adapted'to be drawn upwardly through said tubular member by partial vacuum created by the air stream and forced out one end thereof against an article, and a pivoted article supporting member adjacent said end of the tubular member operatively connected to control the delivery of air to said tubular member and having apertures therein for returning excess liquid to said supply of liquid.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a reservoir, a supporting member for an article to be coated with a flux a tubular member having an open upper end extending through and secured to said article supporting member, and having a lower end normally extending into a reservoir for liquid iiux, a U-shaped conduit having one end extending through and connected to said supporting member and the other end connected withsaid tubular member adjacent the lower end thereof and extending a substanduit being adapted to direct a stream of air tial distance into said tubular member, said conthrough the interior of the tubular member whereby liquid flux is drawn into the lower part thereof by the partial vacuum created, combined with the air stream and ejected from the open upper end thereof against the article on the article supporting member.

EML R. CAPITA. 

